Cases of imported malaria in three southern border areas doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“During January–December 2023, a total of 68 imported malaria cases were identified from reportable disease surveillance systems in Pima, Arizona (18), San Diego, California (27), and El Paso, Texas (23),” the CDC said in a May 9 report.
This marks a 143 percent increase from the 28 cases reported in 2022. During that year, there were three cases in Pima, 12 in San Diego, and 13 in El Paso.
“Because malaria case counts were higher than expected, enhanced case investigations were initiated,” said the agency.
The CDC found that 15 out of 68 cases occurred among U.S. residents. Two were found in newly arrived refugees and two among travelers with unknown immigration status. The majority, 49 cases, were identified among “other newly arrived migrants,” including asylum seekers.
According to the CDC, the rise in imported malaria cases in 2023 correlates with the influx of asylum seekers and other “migrants” entering the United States through the southern land border.
The agency advised healthcare professionals to “obtain a complete travel history, consider